Follow the author of this article

Follow the topics within this article

A kitten that survived a 300-mile journey inside the bumper of a naval helicopter pilot's car has become the star of a Royal Navy and Marines charity calendar.

The cat was discovered by Lieutenant Nick Grimmer shortly after he had driven from Birmingham to Cornwall via Bristol and Bath.

The pilot, who flies submarine-seeking Merlin helicopters with 814 Naval Air Squadron, known as the Flying Tigers, said he heard a "very quiet meowing" coming from his car.

He said: "I looked in the boot, under the bonnet and climbed all over and under it and still couldn’t find what was making the noise.

"I called up some of our air engineers who came and helped me to start dismantling my pride and joy. On taking off the rear bumper we were greeted by a tiny tiger-striped kitten.

Lieutenant Nick Grimmer with the kitten he found trapped in his bumper after a 300 mile car journey.Credit:
Solent News/Solent News

"He must have had a long journey but remarkably is unharmed.

"I am never late for work and was left with no option but to take my new friend in with me. The place he has felt most comfortable is in my flying helmet, which is the only place he is able to sleep."

After efforts to locate the cat's owners failed, Lt Grimmer adopted it and named it Tigger.

And the pair have now landed a spot on the cover of the Royal Navy and Marines charity calendar, which features a kitten in every picture.

The 2017 Flying Tigers and Kittens calendar was produced by 814 Naval Air Squadron, Merlin Force and supporting teams at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose.

Rebecca Saunders, events and community fundraising manager for the charity said: "We are delighted that 814 Naval Air Squadron chose to support the RNRMC in this way with such a fun calendar.

"It's a fantastic opportunity to share the story of Tigger and raise the profile of the work that the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are doing at a time of year where so many of them, and their families, are affected by separation due to deployment around the world."